Cool MateGuarantee vs You gave us your word
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Guarantee
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
You gave us your word
Top 2,000 (common)
| Guarantee | You gave us your word | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɡærənˈtiː/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːz/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːd/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɡærənˈtiː/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːz/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːd/","/ˌɡærənˈtiːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ ɡeɪv ʌs jɔː wɜːd//🇺🇸 //ju ɡeɪv ʌs jʊr wɝːd// |
| Meaning | A promise that something will happen or be done. | You made a promise or commitment. |
| Example | I can guarantee that you will enjoy this movie. | When you said you'd help, you gave us your word. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | absolutely, personally, constitutionally, be able to, can, be fully guaranteed, absolutely, almost, practically | give your word, break your word, keep your word, take someone's word, trust someone's word |
| Antonyms | doubt, uncertainty, dispute | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ensure' — 'guarantee' implies a stronger promise., Incorrectly using 'guarantee' without a direct object — always specify what is guaranteed., Mixing up 'guaranteed' as an adjective instead of a past participle. | Confused with 'You gave us your words' - 'word' in this context is singular., Using it when informal language is more appropriate., Misunderstanding the nuance of 'word' as a promise versus literal words. |
| Usage notes | Use 'guarantee' when you want to express certainty about an outcome. It's suitable for both written and spoken English, but avoid in casual conversations where simpler words like 'promise' may suffice. | Typically used to emphasize trust or commitment. Suitable in both spoken and written language, often in serious or personal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Guarantee vs You gave us your word
What's the difference between Guarantee and You gave us your word?
Guarantee: A promise that something will happen or be done. You gave us your word: You made a promise or commitment.
Can you show an example of each?
Guarantee: I can guarantee that you will enjoy this movie. You gave us your word: When you said you'd help, you gave us your word.
Can I use Guarantee and You gave us your word interchangeably?
Not always. Guarantee and You gave us your word are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.